Assessing quality of life after inguinal hernia repair at Shouldice Hospital

Quality of Life After Shouldice Repair

Observational Shouldice Hospital · NCT06037304

This study is trying to see how having inguinal hernia surgery at Shouldice Hospital affects patients' quality of life and pain levels before and after the operation.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages16 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorShouldice Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Thornhill, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT06037304 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and pain experienced by patients who have undergone primary inguinal hernia repair using the Shouldice technique. It involves a prospective cohort design where patients will complete surveys assessing their QOL before surgery and at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months post-surgery. The study utilizes the EQ5D3L tool, which measures health status and overall health perception, to gather comprehensive data on patient experiences. By focusing on patient-reported outcomes, the study seeks to enhance understanding of the impact of hernia surgery on quality of life.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are male and female patients aged 16-90 who are undergoing a Shouldice repair for a primary unilateral inguinal hernia.

Not a fit: Patients who have undergone mesh repair, have non-inguinal hernias, or require emergency surgery will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the patient experience following inguinal hernia repair, potentially leading to improved postoperative care and patient satisfaction.

How similar studies have performed: While studies assessing quality of life post-surgery are common, this specific focus on the Shouldice repair technique is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

The study population will focus on male and female patients aged 16-90 years of age, standard age of patients accepted for surgery at Shouldice Hospital, who had a Shouldice repair of a primary unilateral inguinal hernia at Shouldice Hospital, all nationalities and races, capable of speaking and reading English, in good general health, and there is no geographic location constraint. As there are no translators nor non-English survey options provided, participants who cannot complete the survey in English are excluded.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they underwent a mesh repair, a hernia that was not an inguinal type, a concurrent hernia, bilateral hernia repair, and surgery was deemed an emergency.

Where this trial is running

Thornhill, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Hernia, InguinalQuality of lifeshouldice repair
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.